Two more elderly residents have been targeted by telephone callers seeking to trick them out of their bank details and have their bank cards collected by courier.

One female resident, aged 81, refused to be taken in by the scam when she was called on Tuesday, 28 October at 10:30hrs. No money was lost.

But another female resident, aged 89, who was called the same day at 14:00hrs, revealed her PIN and handed over her bank card to a courier who called at her front door. She had £500 taken from her account.

Reports in Sutton about what is known as the ‘bank courier scam’ have become few and far between but detectives are urging the public to keep up their guard.

Police urge residents to hang up on the callers and then call police on 101 to report the scam after leaving it for five minutes for their line to clear.

The way the scam works is that you receive a call pretending to come from your bank or police telling you that your bank cards are at risk from fraudulent use. The caller will say that your cards need to be replaced and they will ask for your PIN and arrange to have your bank card collected by a courier, such as an unwitting local taxi company. The tricksters will then use your card and PIN to steal money from you.
Police advise:
- Police and banks will never ask for your PIN or bank card;
- Never give your PIN or bank card to anyone;
- If you are contacted by someone who asks for these, hang up;
- Use a different line to report the call to police on 101 or allow at least five minutes for the line to automatically clear;
- Call 999 if the crime is in action.

If you have been a victim of fraud, call police on 101 or report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at www.actionfraud.police.uk, where you can also find sound advice;